Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has commended the Federal Government for upgrading the Apoi and Edumanom Forests in the state to national parks.
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State (left); Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General, National Park Service (Diri’s immediate left); with officials of the National Park Service, during the visit
Diri made the commendation on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Yenagoa, the state capital, when Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General, National Park Service, visited him.
He said that the state government would support the Federal Government to achieve the intentions behind the upgrade.
“As a government, we shall collaborate with the National Parks Service to develop the newly approved parks in our state,” Diri said.
The governor said that the upgrade had shown that the Federal Government was committed to safeguarding the nation’s forests and the environment at large.
Diri, who expressed concerns that the state’s environment had been devasted by the activities of oil and gas companies, declared his administration’s commitment to environmental protection.
“We are happy that at the end of this long journey, the state now has two of its forests upgraded to national parks.
“My administration places huge emphasis on issues concerning the safety of the environment. We are committed to the protection of our environment,” Diri said.
Earlier, Goni said that the approval was coming after 13 years of waiting, saying, “Remember that the process started in 2011.”
The Conservator-General said the Federal Government was keenly committed to the running of the new parks.
He further said the two new parks had the capacity to generate no fewer than 100 employment opportunities for residents of the state.
Apoi Forest is in Southern Ijaw while Edumanom Forest is within Ogbia and Nembe Local Government Areas.
The Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare says it is collaborating with agencies to address growing public concerns over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) food safety.
L-R: Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health; and Dr Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), during the meeting
The collaboration focuses on safety issues and improving public confidence on GMOs.
Genetic modification (GM) is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism.
To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants.
The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.
The collaboration meeting recently in Abuja, brought togetherDr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health; Dr Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA); and Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Alausa examined the importance of consistent communication among government agencies to allay fears about GMO foods.
He highlighted the necessity of a collaborative approach, supported by extensive scientific evidence, to ensure the safety of GM foods.
The minister said that the collaborative effort between NBMA and NAFDAC was expected to enhance the regulatory framework for GM foods in the country.
This, he said, would ensure that public health concerns were addressed with the highest standards of scientific integrity.
Asagbra commended the Minister’s initiative and underscored the historical collaboration between NBMA and NAFDAC, referencing a Memorandum of Understanding established in 2017.
She noted that no GM food permits were issued without NAFDAC’s involvement and called for enhanced cooperation to ensure food safety.
On her part, Adeyeye clarified that her previous remarks on GM foods were misunderstood, reaffirming NAFDAC’s commitment to rigorous safety standards.
According to Adeyeye, no GM foods will be approved without thorough scientific safety assessments.
The key resolutions from the meeting include: the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) between NBMA and NAFDAC.
Also, the group would develop terms of reference for the TWG and set up a secretariat, to refer applicants to NBMA prior to processing by NAFDAC, and to continue collaboration on risk assessment and GM food labelling.
Others are enhancing capacity building and training exchanges and to joint efforts in IT and Global Listing initiatives.
The meeting marked a significant step towards unified governance in food safety and public health in Nigeria.
Both agencies said they remain committed to ensuring that scientific evidence guides their actions, fostering public trust in food safety regulations.
“By working together, we reaffirm our commitment to science, environmental protection, and safeguarding the health of the nation.”
Mr Joshua Alabi residing in Kabawa area of Lokoja says he will never wish his worst enemy to be a victim of flood disaster given the experience of 2012 and 2022 in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State.
Flooding in Bayelsa
Alabi, 29 years old, is Computer and Software Engineering graduate and a fisherman.
“Whenever I see the pictures or videos of flood disaster, I get emotional because it reminds me of the ugly experience my family faced during the disasters.
“In 2022, we noticed that the water level was going up in the area and other coastal communities.
“Before we understood what the situation was, the entire area got flooded, our houses and every other property were submerged.
“The water level was so high that dangerous animals such as snakes were sighted rampantly within the area,” he said.
According to him, the worst hit areas are Gadumor, Ganaja village, Nyamanya junction, old market area and Papa areas in Lokoja.
Alabi said, because of the strong waves and rising flood level in Ganaja village, a boat capsized, and six persons died.
He said government started embankment project as a measure to reduce the impact of future in Lokoja. He said unfortunately, the project was later abandoned.
Also, Peter Ejeh, another resident of Adankolo area of Lokoja regretted that in spite the gravity of loses including deaths during the 2012 and 2022 flood disasters, some people were obstinate on heeding to experts’ early flood warning.
“I find it very worrisome that in flood prone areas in Lokoja, people are still living comfortably within the red line areas in spite warning for them to relocate to safer areas.
“My advice is for those still living in flood danger zones to understand that nothing weighs more than life,” he said.
Lokoja is christened “the Confluence town” because it is the meeting point of River Niger and River Benue, the two major rivers in Nigeria, which accounts for high impact of flooding in the area like other communities on the bank of the two rivers.
Environmental experts had blamed the flood disaster in 2012 and 2022, the worst in the country in recent years on water discharged from Lagdo Dam in northern Cameroon and dumping of refuse in drainages causing blockage.
The also blamed it on building on flood plains with no provisions for surface drainage, the tidal movements of coastal waters, saturated drainage systems, such as in the country’s largest city, Lagos among other factors.
Apart from Lokoja and other riverine communities some urban centres across Nigeria all record the problem due largely to poor sanitary attitude of the residents.
Available records showed that in 2022 alone, no fewer than 600 lives were lost with about 1.4 million persons displaced across the country.
Conscious of the devastating impacts of the two disasters, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and even as state governments are in partnership to avert a repeat.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, released the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) recently in Abuja.
Utsev indicated that 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 31 states of the Federation are at risk of high flood.
According to him 249 Local Government Areas in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are within moderate flood risk areas.
These states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo and Jigawa.
The Minister also highlighted that high flood risk are to be expected in areas across three distinct seasons: April, May, and June (AMJ); July, August, and September (JAS); and October and November (ON).
He said that a committee has been put in place with a charge to develop a roadmap to enhance Nigeria’s capabilities in flood mitigation, preparedness.
He said the committee would also work out modalities for its adaptation, and response, informed by periodic updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and relevant MDAs in the disaster risk reduction sector.
The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Bello Goronyo, urged policymakers, planners, farmers, stakeholders, and the public to undertake mitigation measures to enhance safety and reduce potential damages to floods.
He advocated increased awareness and sensitisation to improve flood preparedness and management, particularly in high-risk zones.
Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Permanent Representative of Nigeria World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving disaster risk preparedness against flooding.
“In 2012, the destructive effects of the excess water released from the Lagdo Reservoir in northern Cameroon and torrential summer rainfall killed 600 people, displaced millions of others, and destroyed over 152,575 hectares of farmland in Nigeria.
“In 2022, the flooding caused over 600 deaths and affecting an estimated 3.2 million people across 34 of the country’s 36 states. The floods destroyed over 569,251 hectares of farmland,” Anosike said.
He said the agency was ready to partner other MDAs to ensure that history did not repeat itself.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) worked the talk on the sensitisation against flood by organsing a programme in Awka, Anambra State.
She urged community participation in mitigating flooding in the country.
Umar said that the rainfall and flood advisories contained in the 2024 seasonal climate prediction and annual flood outlook indicated that Anambra fell under the 31 states at risk of high and moderate flood.
Also speaking, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo said erosion and flooding which had become an existential threat to the country, required the intervention of the Federal Government and other stakeholders.
Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, said the government had developed a work plan to mitigate the impact of flooding in the state.
“The state government is prepared for the emergencies and ready to work with NEMA to reduce the impacts of the annually recurring floods to safeguard the lives and property of the people,” he said.
In Lagos, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works has directed the removal of silted drains along federal roads with a view to curbing flood on the highways.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, said after 10 hours rainfall which resulted to heavy flash flood in parts of the economic nerve centre of the country on July 4 the measure was to check flood disaster.
Kesha said that the ministry understood the inconvenience caused by the flash flood recorded on July 4 and was committed to eliminating the disruptions caused thereafter.
Mr. Moses Osogi, the Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, says the state government is taking steps towards containing the impact of any eventual flooding in the state.
Osogi said in Calabar that the plan followed the 2024 prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which listed the state among the area at risk of flood disaster.
He said the state government had made arrangements towards reducing the impact of flooding in the state during the year, he said.
Osogi warned residents of the state against erecting structures on waterways, saying that the state government would prosecute anyone found flouting the order.
With the early warning for the 2024 season, environment experts insist that the topography of some communities, improper waste disposal which results to blocked drains could exacerbate the problem.
It is important that vulnerable areas should intensify efforts to improve drainage infrastructure. Adhering to disaster warnings, enhanced resilience through investments in flood control mechanisms is also advised.
In keeping with its Renewed Hope Agenda to improve citizens’ well-being, the Federal Government has urged all Nigerians to adopt clean cooking technologies to help minimise the harmful effects of climate change caused using firewood and charcoal for cooking.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari; Chairman, Senate on Ecology & Climate Change, Senator Seriak Dickson; Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Dr. Yunus Adetunji; Minister for Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Minister for State Environment, Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako; Director, Climate Change Department, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe; and World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr. Joy Agene, at the National Clean Cooking Fair, held on Wednesday, July 18, 2024, in Abuja
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), household air pollution from cooking with solid fuels is a leading cause of respiratory diseases, particularly among women and children.
Traditional open-fire cooking is a silent killer, causing over 77,000 deaths in Nigeria annually through lung and heart diseases. This orthodox cooking method also causes vision impairment and low birth weight and puts people at a higher risk of gender-based violence, snake bites, and other physical injuries.
It is worth noting that this problem is a major driver of deforestation in the country, accounting for the loss of almost 400,000 hectares of forest per year. Residential cooking produces around 55 million metric tonnes of CO2 and 700,000 metric tonnes of hazardous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions. This amount accounts for a considerable share of Nigeria’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.
“Clean cooking is, therefore, a crucial component of our efforts to address environmental challenges, improve public health, and enhance the well-being of our communities,” Balarabe Lawal, Nigeria’s environment minister, said.
The minister, who made the call on Wednesday, July 18, 2024, at the National Clean Cooking Fair in Abuja, stated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the implementation of the National Clean Cooking Policy (NCCP), which was launched during the 17th Session of the National Council on Environment.
He revealed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Nigeria Clean Cooking Alliance, is working tirelessly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the country’s commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to become a net-zero economy by 2060.
Lawal added that his establishment is ready and willing to work with local artisans and entrepreneurs to manufacture and distribute subsidised clean cooking stoves, thereby creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
According to him, a committee has been set up to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation and achievement of the NCCP. There is, therefore, a need for all stakeholders to indulge in awareness campaigns with a view to sensitising citizens about the health and environmental advantages of switching to cleaner cooking technologies.
The environment chieftain appreciated the European Union (EU) for its partnership, particularly its unwavering support, which provides a platform for stakeholders to showcase practicable solutions and harness the various opportunities in the clean cooking industry. Through collaboration, the exchange of knowledge, and fostering partnerships, “we can drive meaningful change and create a pathway towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for Nigeria.”
Together, let us harness the power of collaboration, innovation, and determination to drive positive change and create a more sustainable and resilient Nigeria, he appealed.
In the same vein, Minister of State for the Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, tasked all stakeholders with examining how to ensure that clean cooking technologies are available, accessible, and affordable to all Nigerians.
So he expressed his delight at the event, which was organised to kick off activities related to the implementation of the NCCP and to educate the public on the importance of promoting sustainable and clean cooking practices, because clean cooking is more than just a convenience; it is a public health concern, a fundamental human right, and an essential component of sustainable development.
He went on to say that the event highlights the governments and other key stakeholders’ shared commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and improving the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
“By transitioning to cleaner and more efficient cooking technologies, we can improve air quality, protect public health, and mitigate the impacts of climate change in our communities,” he said.
On Monday, March 25, 2024, the FEC approved the implementation of the NCCP. The policy’s ultimate purpose is to help Nigeria achieve universal access to clean cooking energy for homes and institutions by 2030. It also aims to help the country improve health, create jobs, establish livelihoods, protect the environment, and help families, institutions, and businesses save time and money by promoting clean cooking solutions.
Beneficiaries of various Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions projects in Lagos State have been implored to ensure maintenance of toilet facilities and protect them to serve the purpose of ending open defecation.
WaterAid WASH facilities intervention at Ikorodu North LCDA, Lagos
Mr AbdulMalik Giwa, representative of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, gave the advice when he inspected WASH facilities in Ikorodu and Ojodu LCDA, provided by WaterAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation.
Giwa said the inspection was to ascertain that the quality of WASH facilities interventions by WaterAid Nigeria meets the standard approved by the Federal Government.
After inspection of projects in Ojodu, Isiu, Agbede, Itamaga and Olorunda in Ikorodu, he implored WaterAid to ensure international specifications with a call on benefitting communities not to sell some of the WASH materials like water purification tablets, sanitation soaps and ORS tablets given to them but to distribute to affected households to curb the spread of Cholera.
“As part of our oversight functions, we have visited some areas like Agidingbi, Ojodu, now Isiu, Itamaga, Olorunda, and we can say WaterAid Nigeria has done well and it is worth commending but if distribution is not well monitored it can get to wrong hands who will sell at cheaper rate but I am glad the LCDA will be in charge with CDCs and CDAs directly involved,” Giwa said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Ikorodu North LCDA, Mr. Niyi Odugbesi, assured that the WASH materials would be distributed to the nooks and crannies of the Council Area with promise to sustain the advocacy and sensitisation on regular hand washing with soap, environmental sanitation and improved water supply to fight against communicable diseases.
“On behalf of my Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Mr Adeola Banjo, I want to say a big thank you to WaterAid Nigeria for all the various interventions too numerous to mention, we promised to ensure maintenance and protect the toilet facilities and ensure distribution of the materials to those concerned.”
The inspection and monitoring climaxed the 10 days rural advocacy and sensitisation by WaterAid Nigeria in over 20 communities in Ojodu, Ikorodu and Igando Ikotun LCDAs with over 500,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries.
On June 26, 2024, Nigeria witnessed a fire outbreak at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. Fortunately, the company successfully managed the fire outbreak, and a press release by Anthony Chiejina, the company’s Group Head of Corporate Communications, described the incident as a minor fire at the refinery’s effluent treatment plant with no casualties recorded.
Dangote Refinery gate
However, this event, minor as Anthony may have described it, highlights the gravity of potential environmental risks linked to refinery operations and increased carbon emissions. This refinery is just over a year old – inaugurated in May 2023 – and began operations barely six months ago. Thus, one cannot say the fire was due to ageing infrastructure, as it has been in some cases.
Refineries are high-risk environments by nature. They handle volatile substances that can lead to disastrous accidents if not carefully and meticulously managed. The Dangote Refinery, one of the largest in Africa, is no exception. Fires, explosions, and spills are just a few of the hazards that can result from refinery operations, posing significant environmental and public health risks.
A primary environmental concern during refinery fires is releasing a toxic mix of air pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can significantly worsen air quality, contribute to acid rain, and cause respiratory issues for people living near the refinery.
In the case of Dangote Refinery, the fire at the effluent treatment plant raises particular dread about potential water contamination. Effluent treatment plants are designed to treat wastewater before it evaporates into the environment. A fire at such a facility could release untreated or partially treated effluents into nearby water bodies, harming aquatic life and seeping into human water supply.
Globally, refinery fires are not uncommon. In 2019, a massive fire engulfed the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery, causing significant air and water pollution and forcing evacuations in surrounding areas. Similarly, in 2012, a fire outbreak occurred at Venezuela’s Amuay Refinery, one of the largest in the world. The fire, triggered by a gas leak, caused an explosion that killed 47 people and injured over 80. The environmental impact was severe, with extensive air and soil contamination reported. These incidents show the potential for catastrophic consequences.
With its vast oil reserves, Nigeria has witnessed its share of environmental harm from refineries. Often, these incidents surface in illegal oil refineries, usually in the Niger Delta region. The region has several makeshift refineries, frequently concealed within the dense mangrove forests.
In 2023, there was an oil spill from the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Shell that crosses through communities in the Eleme area of Ogoniland, contaminating farmlands and a river in the Niger Delta region. Before that, in 2005, the Oruma community in Bayelsa State suffered an oil spill from Shell’s facility, which destroyed fishponds, farms and trees, losing their sources of livelihood.
The environmental impact of refinery fires and disasters transcends this isolated incident. Fossil fuel burning contributes to carbon emissions, driving climate change. It accounts for approximately 75% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and nearly two-thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions.
These emissions contribute to alarming rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels, posing a grave threat to the planet’s ecosystems and human populations. These effects are already evident in Africa’s most populous country.
Moreover, the Dangote Refinery incident unearths questions about the company’s commitment to environmental safety and transparency. While they described the fire as “minor,” a complete investigation into the cause is crucial for public knowledge. The incident calls for stricter regulations and independent monitoring of refinery operations in Nigeria.
It is unthinkable to see that since the fire outbreak, no government oversight agency, such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has gone to the refinery to find out what happened and inform the public about its findings. But it is back to business after just a press statement.
The only way to mitigate the risks associated with refineries is to begin a phase-out of fossil fuel usage in Nigeria. Decades of using fossil fuels for energy development in Africa have yet to yield the needed results. Instead, we should intensely pump investments into renewables. Africa is rich in renewable energy sources, including hydro, sun, wind and others.
Nigeria, especially, has abundant renewable energy sources. Renewables report by IRENA shows that renewable energy sources can meet nearly 60% of Nigeria’s energy demand in 2050. which could cut the country’s demand for oil by 65% and natural gas by 40%, and renewables could account for 47% of total energy demand by 2030 and 57% by 2040.
The Dangote Refinery fire should be a warning reminder for all stakeholders to be highly vigilant. It carries the weight of urgency of prioritising environmental safety and emission reduction within the oil and gas industry. It is more important in Nigeria, where regulatory frameworks are less stringent than those in more developed nations.
If we continue to burn fossil fuel, we must implement stricter regulations focusing on emission control and waste management practices, investing in safety measures, enforcing transparency policies and exploring cleaner technologies. We must not wait for another “minor” incident to bring about necessary changes. The health of our country’s ecosystems and the well-being of our communities depend on it.
By Israel Prince Orekha, Executive Director, Connected Advocacy
Lagos, Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, is grappling with a waste management crisis. State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently announced a partnership with Dutch-owned Harvest Waste Consortium to build a waste-to-energy plant.
Lagos State government officials sign partnership with Dutch-owned Harvest Waste Consortium to build a waste-to-energy plant.
The commendable project, which aims to convert 2,250 tonnes of waste daily into 60-75 megawatts of electricity, promises to power 40,000 homes and significantly reduce the city’s carbon footprint. However, while this ambitious project is a step forward, it is not a comprehensive solution for the state’s multifaceted waste management challenges.
The primary benefit of the waste-to-energy plant is its potential to address two critical issues: waste management and energy production. Lagos produces between 13,000 and 15,000 metric tonnes of waste daily and the current waste management system struggles to cope with this volume. Transforming a portion of this waste into energy can help reduce the burden on landfills and provide a renewable energy source.
Moreover, the project aligns with global climate goals by promising to cut down 550,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, improving air quality and contributing to a healthier environment, which is significant considering Lagos is one of the most populous cities in Africa, with a population of over 21 million people. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has identified methane reduction as a key strategy for mitigating climate change, given that methane is over 25 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period.
But the project only scratches the surface of the larger waste problem in Lagos. The city’s waste management issues are deeply rooted and multifaceted, involving inadequate waste collection, poor recycling practices, and a lack of effective initiatives around public awareness and engagement. A waste-to-energy plant, while advantageous, addresses only a fraction of the waste generated daily. The remaining waste, which continues to pile up in landfills and litter streets, continues to pose grave environmental and public health risks. For example, environmentalists posit bad waste disposal management as one of the culprits that worsen perennial flooding for Lagos State.
Moreover, the success of the waste-to-energy plant hinges on efficient and consistent waste collection and sorting. Lagos has long struggled with inconsistent waste collection services, leading to illegal dumping and unmanaged waste in many areas. In research article by Kehinde Allen-Taylor and K.O., it was recommended that Lagos State puts in place a strong policy framework that incorporates waste hierarchy guidelines. First should be prevention; then reuse, recycling, recovery and (least desirable) disposal.
But it found that, in Lagos, this hierarchy wasn’t being followed. The research revealed that residents generate mixed waste without separation or sorting. Households store their waste primarily in plastic bags, sacks and buckets. Contracted waste collectors collect mixed waste and transport it directly to dumpsites. Without a significant overhaul of the waste collection system and substantial investment in infrastructure and manpower, the plant’s effectiveness may be hampered.
To truly tackle Lagos’ waste problem, a broad and integrated waste management strategy is required. This includes improving waste collection and recycling infrastructure, enforcing strict regulations against illegal dumping, and launching extensive public awareness campaigns to encourage waste reduction and proper disposal practices. According to the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), less than 10 percent of waste generated in Lagos State is being recycled as at 2022. Investment in other sustainable waste management solutions, such as composting organic waste is essential.
Lagos launched a second community recycling initiative in 2023 after the pilot scheme launched within the Ministry in Alausa was launched two years prior. The scheme is one of the fulfillments of the present Administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda serving as Environmental Sanitation Advocacy and Economic Empowerment Programme for the people of Lagos. The initiative is a simple placement of eight steel mesh receptacles at strategic locations where citizens of the community are encouraged to drop used PET bottles and containers. Such an initiative needs to be implemented in all communities statewide and quickly as possible.
In conjunction with these efforts, the second most populous state banned the usage and distribution of styrofoam and other single-use plastics in January. This ban is expected to reduce plastic pollution, a major contributor to the city’s waste problem. However, the effectiveness of this ban will depend on rigorous enforcement, stakeholder relations, and the promotion of sustainable alternatives.
Promoting the use of biodegradable materials as an alternative involves much more than words, but productive relationships with businesses, incentives, technical assistance, supply chain support, policy measures, community programme and extensive public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the environmental benefits of biodegradable materials.
In essence, while the waste-to-energy plant is a positive step towards a cleaner and sustainable Lagos, it alone cannot solve the city’s complex waste management issues. The city’s waste management challenges necessitate a multifaceted approach that goes beyond a single technological fix.
It is imperative for the Lagos State government to adopt a holistic strategy that addresses the root causes of waste management issues while promoting sustainable practices across all levels of society. Only then can Lagos truly overcome its waste crisis and move towards a greener future.
By Abiodun Salako, Journalist and former Editorial Assistant at UK-based Divinations Magazine, @i_amseawater
The 39th Board meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has concluded in South Korea with a landmark approval of $1.0 billion in GCF financing for 17 projects in 35 developing countries. The decision expands GCF’s portfolio to 270 projects to an expected total of $58.7 billion, including $14.9 billion in committed GCF funding.
The 39th Board meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Among the 17 projects, three projects involve first-time Accredited Entities (AEs), including a Direct Access Entity (DAE) in Bhutan set to implement a climate resilience project in the country. Eastern Europe and Central Asia received a boost with the first GCF-backed single-country project in Albania and the accreditation of a new partner from Tajikistan.
GCF signed Funded Activity Agreements for 10 projects immediately after approval. Projects in Bhutan and Malawi are expected to transition from approval to first disbursement in under 15 days, a new record for GCF.
The Fund sharpened its focus on climate adaptation, particularly in vulnerable regions. This includes initiatives in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African nations. GCF approved its first-ever social protection project in Mozambique and a project enhancing resilience to extreme weather and food insecurity in the Horn of Africa.
The Board also approved the accreditation of six new organisations, including three first-time Direct Access Entities (DAE) from Tajikistan, Nigeria (Development Bank of Nigeria Plc), and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as the first regional DAE representing Indian Ocean SIDS. This brings the total number of GCF Accredited Entities to 134, including 86 regional or national DAEs. The accreditation agreement with the DAE from Tajikistan was signed immediately after approval, marking a record time for such an agreement.
In addition, the Board considered key policies and strategies including a new partnerships and access strategy that will set the stage for further discussions on enhancing access and streamlining accreditation, and a proposal to finance REDD+ results-based payments with a decision on its principles and ways forward.
Board Co-chair, Milagros De Camps German, from the Dominican Republic, said: “With the approval of $1 billion for 17 new projects that will increase direct access and build resilience in developing countries, GCF’s Board is committed to ensuring strong momentum on climate action for climate-vulnerable nations. I’m heartened by the progress GCF has made so far. As the Board, we will continue to lead the efforts in providing critical financial resources by enhancing the predictability, speed, and scale of climate finance.”
Board Co-chair, Sarah Metcalf, from the United Kingdom, said: “This has been a very productive Board meeting with the approval of $1 billion of investments in a highly diverse portfolio of projects. The results of this Board meeting, and the breadth of our discussions, including on improving access, demonstrate the continued evolution of the Fund and the Board’s ongoing commitment to support transformative climate action in developing countries.”
GCF Executive Director, Mafalda Duarte, said: “The approval of $1 billion for 17 projects in a single Board meeting is a significant milestone that demonstrates our commitment to supporting the highest aspirations of developing countries. I am thrilled that under our Board’s leadership, we have now expanded our overall portfolio to include a record 270 projects and will enable new partners to access GCF resources for the first time, for example, in Tajikistan, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and SIDS in the Indian Ocean. In another first, we’re also empowering local partners in Bhutan to drive climate action through finance disbursed in record time. I am equally grateful for our Board’s support of my vision and reform agenda for GCF.”
The 40th meeting of the GCF Board will be held from October 21 to 24, 2024, in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Apart from the Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN), two other newly accredited Direct Access Entities (DAE) organisations are: Centre for Implementation of Investment Projects within the Committee for Environmental Protection (CIIP) under the government of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Fonds Interprofessionnel pour la Recherche et le Conseil Agricoles (FIRCA), in Côte d’Ivoire.
Direct Access Entities are sub-national, national or regional organisations that need to be nominated by developing country National Designated Authorities (NDAs) or focal points.
Organisations nominated to become Direct Access Entities may be eligible to receive GCF readiness support. This funding is designed to help organisations in developing countries prepare to become Accredited Entities, as well as helping those which have already been accredited to strengthen their organisational capacities.
As climate activists and thought leaders across the world commemorate this year’s edition of Climate Emergency Day on Monday, July 22, 2024, the need to intensify the fight against climate change is being collectively reinforced globally, once again.
Act in time: The world officially has four years to dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions to stay below 1.5C degrees warming
This is very important as the Climate Clock will tick down below five years for the first time, a key milestone for humanity that will spark a wave of synchronised actions around the world, demanding an end to fossil fuels, and pushing leaders to #ActInTime to accelerate real climate solutions.
On this day, we will officially have 4 YEARS to dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions to stay below 1.5C degrees warming. Every minute, every second counts. The deadline on the clock is sourced from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) data, the gold standard of climate science. The first monumental Climate Clock was co-created by Gan Golan, Andrew Boyd, Katie Peyton Hofstadter, and Adrian Carpenter.
The first Climate Clock was launched in Union Square, New York City, in September 2020. Basically, it is a countdown mechanism that tracks the deadline to stay below 1.5°C of global warming. Notably, it now has a global presence, with monument-sized clocks installed in London, Prague, Rome, Seoul, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and portable clocks in the hands of climate leaders across the world.
In addition, it is known for its 80-foot digital clock face in New York City’s Union Square, as well as its other large-scale clocks located across the globe in London, Rome, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Individuals and communities worldwide are encouraged to mark the moment the Clock ticks, which indicates that time is running out on us to take action to save our beloved planet.
Interestingly, it is a global symbol of urgency, melding art, science, tech, and grassroots mobilisation to alert people to the climate emergency and help enact hopeful, doable solutions in line with global commitments to the Paris Agreement that aims to keep global warming below 1.5°C to preserve a liveable world for all.
By and large, Climate Clock which has a global community of voices available for comment, including many local spokespeople and youth ambassadors, urges governments, corporations, and people in power to #ActInTime for the climate crisis. It exhibits a “Deadline” counting down the time remaining to prevent global warming from rising above 1.5°C and five “Lifelines” tracking progress on key solution pathways.
Why Climate Clock matters
The science is clear: Climate change is an urgent issue that affects us all. We are in a Climate Emergency. Decades of increasing carbon emissions are harming the natural and societal systems upon which humanity depends, threatening untold ecological and human devastation if we do not #ActInTime. If urgent steps are not taken the situation will only worsen and put us in more danger. The good news, however, is that there is still time. In other words, we can still have the chance to do something to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.
Dr Michael Terungwa David, founder and Executive Director of Global Initiative for Food Security and Preservation (GIFSEP), campaigns that the world officially has four years to dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions to stay below 1.5C degrees warming
Backed by the latest science, the Climate Clock tells us what we must do, by when. The Deadline and Lifelines on the Climate Clock make explicit the speed and scope of action that political leaders must take in order to limit the worst climate impacts currently been experienced around the world including my native country, Nigeria.
The current climate impact in Nigeria is multifaceted and affects various sectors of the economy, environment, and society. Unpredictable and changing rainfall patterns have led to reduced agricultural productivity. Crops are either inundated by excessive rainfall or suffer from drought conditions, which disrupts planting and harvesting schedules.
Changes in rainfall patterns and prolonged dry seasons have led to water scarcity in many parts of the country affecting both rural and urban communities. Conversely, during the rainy season, heavy and intense rainfall can cause flooding as currently experienced in many parts of the country. Consequently, waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, are prevalent as clean water becomes scarce.
In the northern regions, desertification is accelerating due to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall, leading to loss of arable land and displacement of communities while rising sea levels and increased storm surges are causing coastal erosion, threatening coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems like mangroves.
The economic cost and impact of climate change on Nigeria’s economy is comparatively huge and is expected to increase. The Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom (UK) has, for example, estimated that climate change will cost Nigeria between 6 percent and 30 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050 if no concrete adaptation action is taken.
There is also the problem of loss of livelihoods, particularly amongst a huge population of Nigerians who rely on agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources for their source of income. Climate impacts on these sectors can lead to loss of income and increased poverty.
Similarly, extreme weather events such as floods and storms can damage infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, leading to high repair and replacement costs. Notably, in the energy supply sub-sector, hydropower, a significant source of Nigeria’s electricity, is affected by changes in water availability due to droughts and changing rainfall patterns.
It is equally pertinent to mention that the social and political impacts of climate change cannot be overlooked, conflict is on the increased in some parts of the country because of the competition over dwindling natural resources, such as water and arable land, which exacerbate existing conflicts or trigger new ones, particularly in regions already experiencing tension leading to displacement and migration of the people.
What are we supposed to do?
The big question now is what type of actions are expected to take collectively as a nation in order to create a chain reaction and a positive outcome for the current efforts and initiatives aimed at tackling climate change in our country, particularly in terms of reducing carbon emissions.
Firstly, we should all support and use more renewable energy, which is cleaner and more sustainable than fossil fuels. Experts say by the singular act of installing solar panels in our homes and offices or participating in community solar programmes, you can reduce emissions. Though we are yet the embrace the use of electric cars, if we do that, it will definitely go a long way in helping us secure a cleaner and brighter future.
To achieve this, we need to invest more on renewable energy, provide incentives and supportive policies that include not only workers and communities reliant on fossil fuel industries but also focusing on transforming economies to ensure equitable opportunities, sustainable livelihoods, and resilience in the face of climate change impacts.
Moreover, we need to finance real climate solutions ranging from renewable energy to regenerative agriculture, from mitigation to adaptation. On July 22 people-power movements will be pressuring governments to commit the financial resources behind the solutions we need.
We also can also reduce carbon emissions by reducing energy wastage, going on a more plant-based diet, reducing water wastage, by reducing, reusing, recycling your products, so that we can have a better and cleaner environment.
Conclusion
Given that Climate Clock is ticking and the need to reduce our carbon emission has become increasingly paramount, we must continue to protect our planet and make it better and safer for all of us and our future generations. It is up to us to take solution-based action aimed reducing our footprint as well as intensify our fight against climate change.
Believe you me, every action taken in this direction, no matter how little, counts. By taking proactive measures, Nigeria can enhance its resilience to climate change and secure a sustainable future for its people.
By Dr Michael Terungwa David, founder and Executive Director of Global Initiative for Food Security and Preservation (GIFSEP)
Flood has hit most parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, and rendered hundreds of the residents temporarily homeless.
Flooding in Makurdi, Benue State
A correspondent who went round Makurdi on Sunday, July 21, 2024, reports that worse hit areas include Achussah, Jerome Hwande Street, Ankpa quarters extension, Ankpa ward by Demekpe, Living Faith Church, Naka Road, Behind Customary Court of Appeal.
Others are Gboko Road, JS Tarka University of Agriculture Road, Nyiman Village, Wurukum Roundabout, Logo1 Akpehe Village, Ide Village and Kasho Village,
amongst others.
The disaster has not only rendered hundreds within the state capital homeless, but huge properties lost.
Flooding has over the last decade become a yearly routine, destroying properties and causing loss of lives in some cases.
These areas were among the worst hit areas of the 2017 flooding that displaced over 120,000, persons in the Benue capital, while in 2022, over 14 councils were affected.
Makurdi residents mostly experience challenges of flooding, whenever there is rainfall largely due to lack of proper and adequate drainage system and not always due to the overflow of River Benue.
At Agber Village, Mrs Hope Igbawua said that the situation was beyond their control, adding that the residents have reported the matter to relevant authorities over the years without positive response.
Igbawua said that, as a community, they couldn’t do much, saying the situation required hundreds of millions to be addressed.
“See my brother, our problem here is not the overflow of water from River Benue but lack of a proper and adequate drainage to collect water to the main drainage that was constructed by the Federal Government.
“The situation we face here is almost similar with many people in Makurdi. Not all of us are affected by the overflow of River Benue. We need drains,” she said.
The Executive Secretary (ES), Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Mr James Iorpuu, said they are already mapping out areas and households affected by the flood for immediate intervention.
Iorpuu said SEMA had earlier carried out massive advocacy on flood and appealed to those living along flood prone areas to evacuate to safer areas.
On his part, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Mr Ugwu Odoh, said comprehensive drainage design of the affected communities would be carried out while the Urban Development Board would demolish buildings blocking water channels.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, said a joint memo would be submitted to the Governor for necessary actions to address the issue of flooding in the state.
